Like other areas of New York, there are no state or city-mandated certification requirements for phlebotomists in Long Island. But it is important to pursue phlebotomy training in Long Island and then seek certification if you want to work as a phlebotomist in Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau or Suffolk – the four counties that make up Long Island. The reason for this is that most employers prefer working with trained and certified phlebotomist. Trained phlebotomists also tend to earn more compared to those without the relevant education.

Phlebotomy training is available in tech schools, community colleges, healthcare centers and private vocational training centers in Long Island. The New York’s Regional Occupational Program (ROP) also provides phlebotomy training. Long Island ROP training centers are located in various public high schools and community colleges. To be admitted into a phlebotomy program in any of these schools, you need to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. The other entry requirements vary from one training center to another. Remember to check whether the school where you want to study phlebotomy is accredited or not.

As a phlebotomy technician in Long Island, you will be working directly with patients to draw blood for lab analysis. A phlebotomy course will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to draw blood correctly, ether through the veins (venipunture) or by pricking a finger, to get the blood specimens needed for lab analysis. Other skills that you will learn during the training include specimen handling, laboratory information systems, laboratory or blood collection equipment handling and safety procedures. Additionally, you will get to learn about the professional and legal issues of phlebotomy.

The length of phlebotomy training can vary from one trainer to the other. If you don’t have any prior experience in phlebotomy, your training will definitely be longer. However, in most training centers the classroom instruction normally takes less than 40 hours. After completing the classroom-based training, you will undergo on-the-job training conducted in a clinic setting. Here, you will get a chance to perform venipuntures and skin punctures on real patients. This will give you the experience you need to work confidently as a phlebotomist.

Once you are through with the training, you will have to undertake an internship as specified by your trainer. This will lead to the award of a certificate of completion. With this certificate, you can apply for certification from any of the national credentialing agencies, such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology, The American Certification Agency, the National Healthcare Association, American Medical Technologists, and the National Phlebotomy Association.

Phlebotomy certification will make it very easy for you to get employment in Long Island. Currently, there are many lucrative job opportunities for phlebotomists in this area, including in hospitals, blood banks, physicians’ offices, ambulatory services and health clinics. You can earn as much as $13 per hour while working as a phlebotomist in any of these health institutions in Long Island. With experience, this can rise to $18 per hour. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment in this field will rise by 14 percent in the next five years. So, your job prospects can only get better, especially when you have the prerequisite training and certification.